Have We Reached Saturation with Social Networks?

I’m in love with Snapchat.

There I’ve said it. For the last couple of years I just “didn’t get it”. It was one social medium that I had no idea how to use, how to find followers and the whole point of disappearing snaps. I discounted it too quickly without realising the huge benefit of sticking with it and so missed out on potential opportunities to connect with a whole new different network of people out there – especially to learn more about younger people.

For the last couple of months, I’ve stuck with it. Many times, I fought the desire to let it go and stick with the social media I know and understand. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter… you know, the stalwarts.

However, I also have noticed a trend that not many people in my wider network are sharing as often as they did on Twitter, nor commenting on blogs or even writing them. Facebook communities don’t inspire the same level of engagement, side conversations and discussions anymore.

There’s a change in the air and I’m feeling it. At times, I think it could be me.

Have I got people offside with my writing?

Am I coming across as too salesy?

Am I adding to the noise?

As someone who needs a steady stream of refreshing new ideas and perspectives from diverse people, it’s like I’m scratching around on open social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn trying to find new people who are doing some new and exciting things in their field.

Who’s working on interesting STUFF?

Who’s CREATING things?

Who’s getting out there to EXPLORE?

Who’s coming up with NEW IDEAS?

Who’s exciting to follow because THEY’RE excited about possibilities?

Who can I LEARN from so in turn I can help others to CONNECT them or APPLY what I learned to my work?

Who’s PUSHING BOUNDARIES?

I’m trawling through social networks to see what people in my field are doing, talking about, sharing perspectives and experiences and in all honesty, it seems to have lessened over the years. Or, maybe that I’m now ready to start following others because the world I knew two years ago that excited me on Twitter has now moved on.

New people, new technology and new ideas are unfolding and it’s changing the perceptions I had from just two years ago. People in different fields are talking about Artificial Intelligence, Chat Bots, Bitcoin and Block Chain and Virtual Reality – all big game changers for our world and I’m starting to question things I hold dear about the future of my own field in corporate learning and development.

So have we reached a saturation point with social media?

This is a question that is floating around in my mind. Are we overwhelmed to the point where we are now choosing what we keep and what we let go? We are “Kondoing” our participation and contribution online.

What I have noticed is that I have to go looking for my next fix of where people who are are hanging out, what they’re doing, reading and sharing. I have to find them and chase them on their respective platforms. Not everyone blogs. I wish they did, it would make things a whole lot easier.

So every day, they’re getting harder to find (maybe they’re talking amongst themselves in closed communities?) There’s waxing and waning of interest; and I don’t want to be part of the same circulating arguments or get into quibbles with anyone.

So what has this got to do with Snapchat?

While I was feeling this way, this tool has exposed me to those people pushing boundaries and who are working out loud and helping others by sharing their stories and experiences. The immediate connection with them, seeing where they work, how they work and who they’re talking with in real life feels you’re there with them. It’s given me a new appreciation for this tool that I was so quick to dismiss earlier. I will write more about it in the coming weeks.

What do you think? Have we reached a saturation point?

Here’s my Snapchat reflections…(is it my imagination or is it that the video and audio are out of sync? Argh!)

About activatelearning

Helen Blunden believes that amazing things happen when people come together to learn while they work. She is passionate about helping people activate life long learning practices that express their knowledge, skills and talents openly in in their own unique ways; and to do so with courage so that they make sense of an ever changing world.